Marilyn Monroe’s Personal Bank of America Statement, September–October 1951
From the Personal Files of Marilyn Monroe.
This original monthly Bank of America statement documents activity in Monroe’s personal account for the period September 27 through October 25, 1951. The record reflects a beginning balance of $9.58 and a closing balance of $245.99, providing a clear snapshot of her financial position at an early stage in her career.
Preserved with the statement is a cancelled personal check dated October 5, 1951 made payable to Schwab’s Drugs in the amount of $5.00. The transaction appears on the statement as having cleared her account on October 9, establishing a direct administrative link between the documents.
Created shortly after Monroe entered into a long term contract with Twentieth Century Fox, the statement reflects the modest earnings and ongoing professional expenses that characterized this transitional period before her rise to international prominence.
Retained among her personal records, the document provides firsthand financial evidence of Monroe’s circumstances during the formative years of her career.
Collector’s Note
As a collector, I find early financial records like this especially important because they provide measurable insight into Marilyn Monroe’s lived reality before major fame.
This statement documents routine banking activity rather than public achievement. It records balances, expenditures, and everyday transactions that help establish context for her professional development.
What stands out is the contrast between visibility and stability. Although Monroe was gaining recognition within the film industry, her financial position remained modest. Documents of this kind help clarify how career momentum did not immediately translate into economic security.
Preserved with a corresponding handwritten check, the statement forms a complete administrative record. It anchors Monroe’s early career within verifiable financial structure rather than retrospective interpretation.
Scott Fortner
Marilyn Monroe Collection
Founder & Owner
@mariylnmonroecollection 
TheMarilynMonroeCollection